Thanksgiving is a holiday that is spent with family. However, my family is very far away this year. I was blessed to be able to spend Thanksgiving with my Doulos family at a giant Thanksgiving Dinner. Over 100 people- teachers, staff, and their families- went to the school for dinner.
We had the traditional turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, sweet potatoes, and even a green bean casserole. We also had a non-traditional roasted pig. Everyone had to bring a dish with them (side dish or dessert). The Dominicans brought typical Dominican food- rice, beans, yuca, etc.
With such a variety of choices besides what I am used to for Thanksgiving and being separated away from my family, it didn't feel like Thanksgiving to me. So, I decided to cook my own traditional Thanksgiving Dinner the next day- the same as I would have had if I was in my house in Ohio.
Since turkey is very expensive here and impossible to find in town (you have to drive into the city to buy it), I decided to make chicken instead. Besides, I like chicken better than turkey anyway! I made homemade stuffing just like we make at home. My little chicken came out very good.
Now it was time to make the side dishes. Mashed potatoes and corn are easy. Sweet potatoes, however, are a little harder. I went to the veggie market and bought a few sweet potatoes, or the closest thing they have to sweet potatoes. When I bought them they were caked with dirt. After I scrubbed them off, I discovered that the skins were bright purple!
When I cut them up, they were white on the inside. Now, I know for most people- especially here- that wouldn't be a problem. But for me, SWEET POTATOES ARE SUPPOSED TO BE ORANGE!! So, I cut them up and boiled them like mashed potatoes, but while they were boiling, I added red and yellow food coloring and turned them orange!
After it was all cooked, I was able to enjoy a wonderful Thanksgiving Dinner- Ohio style! (Notice the orange sweet potatoes on the right side- covered with marshmellows!)
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